Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused U/S 69 BNS, Cites Consensual Relationship With Victim

The Kerala High Court granted bail to a man booked for engaging in sexual relations with a divorced woman on the pretext of marriage, observing that prima facie there seemed to be a consensual relationship between the two. The case arose from allegations against the petitioner, accused under Sections 69(Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc), 74(Assault or use of criminal force...

Petrol Pump Toilets On National Highways To Be Open During Working Hours, Not 24X7: Kerala High Court Modifies Single Judge Order

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (September 18) modified a Single judge's interim order mandating all petroleum retail outlets located along National Highways in the state to keep their washrooms open to the public 24/7.The Division Bench comprising Justice Amit Rawal and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan modified the first two directions passed by the Single Judge to the extent that it mandated...

Kerala High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Plea Against Arundhati Roy's Book Showing Her Smoking Without Health Warning

The Kerala High Court has called for Centre's response on a petition filed challenging Arundhati Roy's book "Mother Mary Comes To Me", the cover of which shows her smoking a Bidi without any statutory health warning.The Petitioner, an advocate, seeks stay on the book's sale without the statutory label.When the matter came before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and...

NH-544 Traffic Snarl: Kerala High Court To Reconsider Toll Suspension As Interim Panel Finds NHAI's Repair Works Satisfactory

The Kerala High Court today orally observed that it will consider lifting suspension of toll collection at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza (Thrissur district) on NH-544 highway, in light of the repair works carried out by the National Highway Authority of India.More than a month has lapsed since toll collection was suspended by the High Court, following a 12-hour blockade purportedly due to...

'Stranger' Not Entitled To Certified Copies Of Criminal Records, Court Should Call For Objections From Affected Persons: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has ruled that third parties cannot claim an automatic right to certified copies of documents filed in criminal proceedings, particularly in cases investigated by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).Justice V.G. Arun delivered the judgment while deciding three connected criminal miscellaneous cases concerning the SFIO probe into Cochin Minerals and Rutile...

Hindu Marriage Act | Second Marriage During Appeal Period Valid If Divorce Decree Remains Unchallenged By Ex-Spouse: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that a marriage contracted within the time frame provided for appealing a decree of divorce dissolving previous marriage would not be considered to be illegal if the decree is unchallenged by the former spouse.The decision was passed by the Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha while considering an original petition by...

Kerala High Court Seeks State's Stand On Notification Of Human Rights Courts, Information On CCTV Cameras In Police Stations

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (September 16) asked the state government to file a statement declaring that Human Rights Courts, as contemplated under Section 30 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, had been duly notified. It also told the State to place on record information relating to the functioning of CCTV cameras in police stations. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar...

Kerala High Court Defers Hearing On Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Idol, Awaits Chief Thanthri's Report

The Kerala High Court adjourned proceedings concerning the defects in Moolavigraha (principal idol) of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, noting that the Chief Thanthri — the ultimate authority on spiritual matters — was presently unable to provide his inputs due to a bereavement in his family.A division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha delivered...

Kerala HC Allows PV Anvar To Be Added As Party In MR Ajithkumar's Plea Challenging Decision To Prosecute Him In Disproportionate Assets Case

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (September 17) allowed the impleading petition filed by former MLA P.V. Anvar in a plea filed by ADGP M.R. Ajithkumar challenging a Special Court's decision to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case.Justice A. Badharudheen allowed the petition and impleaded Anvar as additional 3rd respondent. Anvar had raised a contention that the present...

Kerala High Court Orders Inquiry Into Alleged 4Kg Gold Loss From Sabarimala Dwarapalaka Idols

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (September 17) directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer(SP) to look into the alleged discrepancies regarding the weight of gold in the Dwarapalaka idols of Sabarimala temple.The alleged loss of weight of gold came to light during the Court's intervention while considering a suo motu petition initiated on the basis of a report of the Special...

National Highways Act | Only Disputes Which Cannot Be Decided By Competent Authority May Be Referred To Civil Court U/S 3H(4): Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has recently clarified the meaning of the word 'dispute' falling under Section 3H(4) of the National Highways Act, 1956. The court was considering the nature of disputes that must be referred to a civil court by the Competent Authority under the NH Act.As per Section 3H(4), two types of disputes have to be referred to the civil court: disputes as to the apportionment...

Kerala HC Issues Notice On Plea Challenging Micro & Small Enterprise Facilitation Council Rules For Being Inconsistent With MSMED Act

A plea has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the Kerala Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council Rules, 2023 for being inconsistent with Section 21 of the Central Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.When the matter came for admission on Tuesday, Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. issued notice to the parties.The petition was filed by M/s Malabar...